Japan Airlines Corp, an air flight company whose business path has been quite troubled in recent years and has been bailed out by the government in January, has released its plan to turn the economic tides in its favor and seek profit: JAL will retire two-fifths of their aricrafts, cut one in eight overseas flights and slash a quarter of its home routes. As they have identified a stringent need to compete with, JAL is also planning to create its own low-cost division.

The team developing this turnaround plan is backed by the state and they have submitted their pledge to the Tokyo District court today. The pledge states 10 international flights will be halted, along with 39 domestic routes. The plan will lead JAL to an operating profit margin of 9.2 percent by March 2013.

“JAL’s flop has caused a lot of trouble to shareholders and financial institutions,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Kazuo Inamori at a news conference in Tokyo.
“Today is a new start for us,” said Inamori, the 77-year old founder of electronics maker Kyocera Corp, asked by the government to run JAL for three years after it filed for bankruptcy.

In order to put the submitted turnaround plan in practice, Japan Airlines will receive 350 billion yen which is $4.14 billion from the government and a 521 billion yen debt waiver from banks such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Mizuho Financial group.

According to industry analysts quoted by ABC news, Inamori’s plan is solid:

Aviation analysts applauded Inamori’s fleet changes, which amount to the elimination of 103 aircraft.
“This is a massive shutdown in a very short amount of time, and generally only happens when airlines are shut down, not when they restructure,” said Shashank Nigam, head of Singapore-based airline industry consultant SimpliFlying Pte.
“We are likely to see a very much smaller and more regional Japan Airlines come out of this,” he said.

Two travel sites have been included in Time magazine’s exclusive list of 50 best websites of 2010, a yearly selection of the best the Internet has to offer, “from the helpful to the distracting, the big hitters to the unknown”.

Time’s yearly list, described by the magazine as an attempt to create a road map of the top resources on the Internet, including the top players that entertain, help or inform web surfers, selects 5 top websites in ten different categories: Music and Video, Sports, News and Info, Financial & Productivity, Shopping and Travel, Health and Fitness, Social Media, Games, Education, Family and Kids.

Stay.com and SeatGuru are the only travel sites included in this year’s list, making it to the Shopping and Travel category. Online social travel planner Stay.com that has launched its public Beta 2.0 this summer in June was included for its unique customized travel guides which users can create by adding the hotels, attractions, restaurants and other venues they plan to visit or stay at in their future trip and then share with friends, family and other online or offline acquaintances.

SeatGuru is a clever site that helps travelers avoid the bad seats in the plan (such as those right next to the toilet). The website mapped out the seating chart of all commercial planes and marked which seats their users should book and which to avoid.

I wholeheartedly hope that next year travel sites will outnumber shopping ones in Time’s exclusive 50 Best Websites list!

A recent poll carried out by Skyscanner, a cheap flights comparison site, has revealed that 59% of travellers would like a ‘families only’ section onboard flights. Non-parent war particularly taken with the idea, 68% of them voting in favor, yet less than a third of parents agreed with it. The survey was inspired by a recent event when a woman claimed a baby’s screaming made her ears bleed during a Qantas Airlines flight.

More than 2,000 people took part in the Skyscanner poll and here are some of the findings:

• 8% of child-free respondents thought people should be entitled to sit where they like and almost 70% ‘wanted to sit as far away as possible from children
• Almost a quarter of non-parents said they would prefer flights that were free from children altogether
• 45% of those who are parents said they didn’t want a families-only section because they didn’t want to sit next to ‘other people’s horrors’
• 24% of parents disagreed with the idea because saying people should be able to ‘sit where they liked’
• 31% of parents were in favor of the allocated section

Skyscanner users came up with their own suggestions to solve the problem of noisy children on flights, such as the provision of a baby nursery, only allowing well-behaved children to travel, and on a less sympathetic note, one user said “children should go in the cargo hold.”

“As a relatively new mom myself I can still remember that feeling of dread when you found yourself seated next to a baby on a long flight; however, since regularly flying with my one-year-old, I am much more aware of what a stressful, and often embarrassing, situation it can be for parents,” Skyscanner PR Manager Mary Porter commented. “I’m not surprised that in a previous poll we found young children were deemed to be the ‘most annoying’ factor on flights. When tempers are frayed, a screaming child can cause a major disturbance for fellow passengers.”

I have to admit I myself cringed when I say about 5 small children boarding with me on a 12 hours trans-Atlantic flight and some of them happened to be noisy. But let’s face it, we’re talking cheap flights and coach. If people want the privacy, they can go for overpriced luxury first class cabins or drive when traveling in the same country. Or, there is a little thing called ear plugs that they could use.

There are ill-behaved children as there are people and we cannot ban everyone who’s noisy from a flight. On the other hand, when traveling with a group of people, parents should try harder to keep their children happy and quiet. If all else fails, maybe we could just take the child from an obviously exhausted parent and see if we can try to calm him or her down

What’s your take on it?

Each week I indulge in reading incredible articles on other people’s trips, travel ideas, trip advice and unusual experiences. Some of these stories make quite an impression and need further sharing.

Here are last week’s top travel pieces:

Seven Solo Female Travel Myths Debunked by Yvette Cendes on BootsnAll – a great piece discussing solo female travels and the unfounded fears that sometime surround such adventures;

An Insider’s Guide to the Caribbean by Melissa Burdick Harmon on AOL Travel – there’s no one better than an isider to share the inside scoop on your travel destination of choice;

Photoblog: The Desert City of Jaisalmer, India – a visual experience of Jaisalamer expertly put together by WildJunket;

10 Common Stops on an RTW Itinerary (and where you should go instead) by Nico Crisafulli on AirTreks – a piece helping you to stay away from common round the world trips and experiment more while you travel.

Are we REALLY better off flying budget airlines? – great question and arguments by RunnawayJane

Scandinavian Samba at Mariostad Carnival in Sweeden – did you think Samba dancing belongs in Rio de Janeiro Carnivals? RennyBA will prove you wrong with this travel article!

For an Exotic Honeymoon that Never Seems to End

After uttering your vows during your wedding day, the next thing that you will be enjoying as a couple is your honeymoon. The good news is that there are plenty of romantic, tropical, exciting or historical places all over the world where you can travel to and spend your honeymoon.

Depending on your budget and the places that you would like to discover as a newly-married couple, you may want to venture out to Macau. This is a Special Administrative Region in China, located across the Pearl River estuary from Hong Kong.

Photo by William Li

Despite its being mainly known as a gambling destination which rakes in even more revenue than Las Vegas, Macau also makes for an ideal honeymoon venue.

Top 7 Places to Visit in Macau for Honeymooners

Currently, Macau is made up of four districts: Macau Peninsula which is a haven for tourists; Taipa which is a major residential area; Cotai where The Venetian is located; and Coloane which is the most southern island.

So what are the top 7 Macau destinations for honeymooners? Here’s a quick look:

1. Coloane Island

Honeymooners who are into sports should definitely stop by Coloane Island. It is home to the Macau Golf and Country Club. The island has a unique view of two beaches: the black-sand Hac Sa Beach and the Pearl River. The country club welcomes both locals and foreigners, and it is one of the most beautiful golf courses in Asia.

Photo by b8b8ng

2. Fisherman’s Wharf

Nothing’s more romantic for newlyweds than strolling in the park, and Fisherman’s Wharf is the perfect place to do just that. This is a relatively new attraction in Macau, and it is a themed park divided into different port towns. You can take your pick from Cape Town, the Italian Riviera, Amsterdam or the Dynasty Wharf.

Photo by LinksmanJD

Formerly known as the British Honduras, Belize is a small country in Central America which prides itself with its diverse culture, historical background and beauty of its natural environment. Belize is located just off the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico with Guatemala as its neighbor.

Photo by kuyman

Belize offers the best of what the Caribbean Sea and the jungles of Central America have to offer. On land, history buffs explore the Mayan ruins in a quest to understand the mysteries of that great civilization. There are over 570 species of birds to see in the protected wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Belize. Off shore, the marine reserves offer a kaleidoscope of coral, dolphins, turtles and fish while divers and snorkelers experience the cool crystal blue seas.

What are the top three things to do when in Belize?

Photo by Gold 41

Diving in Belize

World class divers troop to Belize for that once-in-a-lifetime diving experience. The Belize Barrier Reef is second only to the Australian Barrier Reef but maybe more interesting because of Belize’s famed Blue Hole. The 186 mile long Belize Barrier Reef is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef that stretches for over 560 miles from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to Guatemala. The famed Blue Hole is part of the four very rare offshore atolls that are found in the Western Hemisphere where three are in Belize – Turneffe Atoll, Glover’s Reef and Lighthouse Atoll.

Photo by Cathereinetodd2

Atolls are circular reefs that surround a lagoon in the open sea. Blue Hole is part of the Lighthouse Atoll and this 300 meters wide, 120 meters deep almost perfect sapphire blue underwater cave is a must dive for enthusiasts. It is Located about 50 miles off the east side of Belize City. Camping and basic accommodation are available at Half Moon Caye. Snorkeling at the shallower cayes to see coral and colorful fish is also highly recommended for non-divers.

Jungle Trekking

Experience the thrill of an Indiana Jones-ish thrill by trekking through the lush jungle of Belize. Various trails leading to rainforests along that dot the ancient rivers of Belize will lead you to natural fresh-water multi-tiered waterfalls. Trekkers can cool themselves in the cool crystal pool below the waterfall while howling monkeys watch. Rare and exotic butterflies (Blue Morf) and birds (Toucans) are in abundance in this tropical rainforest. Toledo and Punta Gorda are the best places to immerse in all these plus a visit to an existing Maya village.

Photo by Philip Larson

Caving and Cave Tubing

Limestone caves bear witness to artifacts of the ancient Maya civilization. The places to be for caving are Toledo, San Ignacio and Cayo. You can take a canoe at Barton Creek or walk through Checham Hah where actual Mayan artifacts are seen inside the caves. For the more adventurous, the Actun Tunichil Muknal is the way to go. Trekking and swimming are required for a guest to reach the cave where Mayan artifacts dating hundreds of years back are left undisturbed.

Photo by kthypryn

Cave tubing is one cool experience! Adventurers are equipped with head gear with powerful lights to shine on paths as they “walk” though the dark caves. The “walk” is more like reclining on rubber tubing while the slow current of the river inside the cave move the adventurer. The best place to do this is in San Ignacio at the Cayo District.

Photo by AJ Baxter

The recent rise in US travel demand takes it toll on peak-day surcharges as travelers might pay 60 dollars more to fly in the US by the end of 2010. The reason? Carriers such as Delta Air Lines and American Airlines are increasing their use of surcharges as the rising summer and holiday demand supports their decision.

The trend is obvious: after finally being able to report quarterly profits for the first time in over two years, the US airlines are seeking to squeeze the momentary high demand in air travel and boost their earnings. As surcharges are seen by most passengers as part of the total fare, the higher price might go unnoticed.

“It’s not transparent,” Graeme Wallace, chief technology officer at Dallas-based FareCompare.com, said in an interview. “If you’re looking at travel on a particular day, you have no idea why it’s $400 on that day. You don’t know it’s $340 the day before or $350 the day after.”

Delta spokesman, Trebor banstetter, noticed that higher fares on peak demand days are not a new tactic of the airline industries. Surcharges were adopted by many carriers ever since newer computer systems and pricing rules have been introduces, he explained. The new systems allows them to add surcharges on certain days, without affecting the base price, making it a lot less simple than raising all base prices across multiple fare levels.

The procedure for passengers to find surcharge is not the simplest in the world; they generally need to look up the total ticket price on an airline’s website, click on a “Fare Rules” link and scroll down through the text for specifics.

The somewhat good news is that low-fare carriers generally don’t use peak-day surcharges, this being true for Southwest Airlines Co., JetBlue Airways Corp., AirTran Holdings Inc. and Virgin America Inc.

Are you a newlywed couple looking for an exciting place to spend your honeymoon in? Are you an already married couple who is looking forward to rekindling your love for each other by visiting an entirely new place? Or maybe you suddenly find that you have a few days off from work and you cannot wait to go on a thrilling adventure?

Photo by Morio

No matter which of these categories you fall under, what’s important is for you to be open to new romantic adventures as a couple. Why not venture out to East Asia to visit a country which offers tourists a pleasant combination of the old and the new? The city that you should target visiting is Tokyo, and we’ll discover which exciting places are a must-visit for those who have a romantic streak in them.

Must-Do Activities for Lovers Visiting Tokyo

To give you an idea, here’s a look at the top 5 most romantic activities and places to visit which couples should not miss out on while visiting Tokyo:

1. Experience staying at a traditional, Japanese-style inn when visiting Tokyo

Whether or not it is your first time to visit Japan, you should definitely not miss out on doing things the way the locals do them. For example, instead of staying at a hotel which is pretty much similar to what you will be staying in back home, why not stay in a traditional Japanese-style inn or ryokan instead?

Some of the best ryokans can be found in Tokyo, featuring luxurious rooms with views of lush Japanese gardens. You can also relax in natural hot springs and have meals sent to your room.

Photo by orgiamidon

2. Marvel at the sight from the top of the Roppongi Hills at night

Once you’ve already had your fill of the tourist spots in Tokyo, cap off the night with your loved one by visiting Roppongi Hills. It has an observation deck which is frequented by couples because of the stunning view of Tokyo that it offers at night. Bask in the view of Japan’s version of the Eiffel Tower which is the Tokyo Tower while sipping your drinks at the bar.

Photo by moophisto

3. Ride the giant Ferris wheel at Pallette Town in Odaiba

Another spot which offers a great view of Tokyo at night is when you ride the giant Ferris wheel at Pallette town in Odaiba. From there, you can continue your night time adventure to Rainbow Bridge and the Odaiba Seaside Park.

Photo by SElefant

4. Take a romantic Tokyo cruise

No honeymoon or romantic trip will ever be complete without booking a cruise. In Tokyo, cruises for couples come with Japanese meals served on Tatami mats while you’re enjoying a great view of Tokyo Bay and Rainbow Bridge.

Photo by T.CSH

5. Take a stroll through Rikugien

Finally, you can take a quiet stroll through one of the best Japanese-style gardens in Tokyo – Rikugien. It’s an off-the-beaten-path destination which gives you a lush view of the greenery and flowers all around, as well as a tiny teahouse overlooking the pond.

Photo by Nomo123

There you have it – the top five most romantic things to do which should be included in every couple’s list when visiting Tokyo.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the all-time top destinations in South America and in the entire world. It has established a reputation as a top tourist spot that is hard to dispute even if the city struggles with social discrepancies, security issues and even the unrestrained slum areas that seem to sprout in pockets within the city. No matter what, people coming from around the globe still desperately want to visit Rio de Janeiro.

Photo by Matarazzo

Cariocas, as what natives are called, cannot agree on which vantage point affords the best 360° view of Rio – Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf) or Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer). Cristo Redentor in Corcovado Mountain was given (or won?) the distinction of being in the list of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Your best bet is to experience both and decide for yourself. From these vantage points, one can see the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema.

Rio de Janeiro History

The Portuguese first landed in the rivers off the Atlantic Coastline on January 1, 1502 – hence Rio de Janeiro or January River. The city was founded in 1565 by the Portuguese but was always threatened by other colonizers especially the French. In the 17th century gold was found in the area so the colonial capital was moved to the city of Rio. It would have remained just a colonial capital but Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion of Portugal caused its Royal population to migrate to Rio. The city of Rio de Janeiro became the only capital of a European kingdom outside of Europe. The migration of the Portuguese nobilities brought in an influx of African slaves too.

Photo by Mariordo

Even after the declaration of Brazil’s independence, Rio remained the country’s capital until 1960. Rio de Janeiro became autonomous but its privileges as one were revoked in 1975 thus putting Rio de Janeiro city under the state of Rio de Janeiro.

The city is busily preparing as host of the 2016 Summer Olympics Games.

Photo by Marcelo Matarazzo

Rio de Janeiro, Colorful Carnivals and Festivals

Time your visit to Rio de Janeiro before the Lenten Season to participate in the numerous Samba School Parades much like the New Orleans’ Mardi Gras. For 2011, the schedule of the parade is up for the 12 competing Samba Schools which by the way are not really all schools to learn samba. Dates are slated for March 6 and 7, 2011 starting at 9:00 P.M. onwards. The more awaited carnival in Rio now, however is the New Year’s Eve Reveillon. More carnivals and festivals are thought of year-round.

Photo by Marcus Correa

The Famous Beaches of Rio de Janeiro

Copacabana and Ipanema are not just words in popular songs. These are actually famous beaches in Rio de Janeiro. There are other beaches too in Leblon, Grumari and Barra de Tijuca if you want a quieter scene but what would be the point of going to Rio if it’s quiet time that you want? There is a beach for each type of person in Copacabana and Ipanema. Each “posto” (lifeguard post) in the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana has a designated beach spot for gays, moms and kids, artists, young people and more. It is also where the famous black and white sidewalk is. Be careful where you station yourself in this 4 kilometer curved beach.

Photo by Fernando Stankuns

Hang gliders are usually in São Conrado while Arpoador is for the surfer dudes. For those who had enough of partying, Urca is the beach to be.

There is no way you can get bored when visiting Rio de Janeiro. Its lively, friendly and colorful atmosphere, along with its rich history and culture make it one of the top destinations in South America.

No matter which part of the world you’re from, visiting a foreign city is always a treat and an adventure. However, you need to do your homework prior to visiting the place so that you’d know which landmarks to visit and activities to indulge in.

Photo by Diliff

What to Do when You’re in Hong Kong

Let’s say that you made plans to venture out to Hong Kong, one of the most beautiful cities in East Asia. Hong Kong is the Cantonese term for ‘fragrant harbour’ – and its being a former British colony allowed it to grow into a multi-faceted city. The best months to visit weather-wise are anytime from October to December.

Hong Kong is made up of several districts including Hong Kong Island which is the site of the original British settlement; Kowloon which is the most populous area in the city; New Territories which is made up of farms, villages and country parks; Lantau and the Outlying Islands.

Now, here is a list of the top 10 things to do if it’s your first time visiting Hong Kong:

1. Check out Victoria Peak

If there’s only one touristy activity that you should not pass up doing while visiting Hong Kong, it is none other than checking out the view of the city from Victoria Peak. The immediate vicinity is something amazingly more sophisticated than Manhattan, and beyond that is the rest of China.

Photo by Andrew3000

2. Have a tour of Dragon’s Back

In Hong Kong Island, there is a place called Dragon’s Back where first-time visitors can take a ridge for a magnificent view of the city. Cap off your visit by dining at one of the fabulous restaurants In Shek-O Village.

Photo by jgaerlan

3. Ride the world’s longest covered outdoor escalator

The world’s longest covered outdoor escalator is located in Hong Kong. The escalator is 800 meters long and it carries thousands of people everyday through a slew of cafes and restaurants where you can relax, dine and people watch.

Photo by Siim Teller

4. Ride a bat-winged boat around Victoria Harbour

These bat-winged boats (or junk boats) used to be a symbol of Hong Kong as a city – until they were overtaken by ferries and fishing trawlers. A handful of them still remain in Victoria Harbour, however, so don’t pass up on the opportunity to ride them.

Photo by Kartografia

5. Sample what the local cuisine has to offer

There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the local culture than by sampling what the local cuisine has to offer – and Hong Kong is the perfect place to do just that. Take your pick from Chinese, Asian and Western cuisines.

Photo by Arthur Chapman

6. Shop, shop, shop!

If you went to Hong Kong to shop in the first place, the best months to do so are July and August where almost all stores take 50% to 70% off the original price.

7. Try placing a bet at the Hong Kong horse races

Betting at horse races is a national past time and Happy Valley is the place to go if you want to try placing a bet.

Photo by lecercle

8. Visit Disneyland Hong Kong

Are you visiting Hong Kong with the rest of your family? Then you should definitely put Disneyland on top of your places to visit.

Photo by Coconut Wireless

9. Visit one of the temples of Hong Kong

There are numerous temples that you can pay homage to in Hong Kong, some of which are more than a century old.

Photo by linkahwai

10. Visit the Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Lastly, check out the Hong Kong Heritage Museum or any of the other museums in Hong Kong to give yourself a preview of the fascinating past that the city has gone through.

Photo by nekotank

As you can see, no matter what activity you prefer indulging in as a traveller, there is something that the beautiful, culture-rich city of Hong Kong can offer – so it is definitely worth a visit. Take your time choosing what to fit in your next Hong Kong trip.